San Francisco Grapples with Persistent Drug Trade, Raising Questions on Government Strategy

San Francisco continues to face the significant challenge of an open and active drug trade, particularly involving highly potent substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine. A recent observation, shared by a user identified as "SaveSF 🇺🇸" on X (formerly Twitter), highlighted the overt nature of these transactions near the intersection of 6th and Mission streets. The tweet described a "dealer of the day" openly conducting business, complete with "gold chains," a "gold watch," and "scheduling deliveries" via phone, noting that fentanyl and methamphetamine remain "easily found" and "dirt cheap." The tweet directly questioned the perceived inaction of authorities, stating, "There must be a reason why city + state + federal gov’t continues to ignore the drug trade in SF." This sentiment reflects ongoing public frustration regarding the city's struggle to curb the crisis. Data from the San Francisco Chronicle indicates that overdose deaths in the city reached a record high in 2023, with fentanyl involved in over 70% of accidental overdose fatalities in 2024, often in combination with stimulants like methamphetamine. Areas such as the Tenderloin and South of Market (SOMA), which includes the 6th and Mission vicinity, are consistently identified as epicenters of the drug crisis. UCSF researchers have noted that fentanyl is remarkably inexpensive, sometimes as low as $10 a gram, contributing to its widespread availability. The combination of fentanyl and methamphetamine, referred to by experts as a "fourth wave" of the drug crisis, presents a particularly deadly risk, as users often mix the two to counteract negative effects. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has inherited a complex drug epidemic and has supported proposals aimed at addressing the crisis, including efforts to expedite treatment processes. The city's public health officials have also ramped up access to substance use disorder treatment programs and overdose reversal medications like Narcan since 2022. Despite these initiatives, the visible and accessible drug trade, as depicted in the recent tweet, underscores the persistent challenges in implementing effective solutions and the ongoing debate over the balance between harm reduction and law enforcement strategies.